An organization representing 20 Pueblo nations in New Mexico and Texas has formally voiced its opposition to plans for temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel in the states.
During a meeting last week, the All Pueblo Council of Governors adopted a resolution against federal licensing for construction and operations of the facilities planned by Holtec International in Lea County, N.M., and Interim Storage Partners in Andrews County, Texas.
Both companies have applied for 40-year licenses from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to hold tens of thousands of metric tons of used fuel now stored on-site at nuclear power plants around the nation. Both applications are undergoing detailed technical reviews covering environmental, safety, and security impacts of licensing. With approval, the facilities could begin accepting the radioactive waste in the early 2020s.
The sites could provide a means for the Department of Energy to meet its 1982 congressional mandate to remove the spent fuel from the power plants. The agency’s deadline to begin that process was Jan. 31, 1998, but it still does not have a permanent repository for the material.
“We are very concerned that this project, proposing the transport of nuclear material currently stored at 80 commercial reactors in 35 states across the country, lacks meaningful consultation afforded our Pueblos and subjects our communities, environment, and sacred sites to unimaginable risk over many decades,” All Pueblo Council of Governors Chairman E. Paul Torres said in a press release.
The resolution calls for “meaningful government-to-government” discussions between the Pueblo governments and federal regulators on waste transport, the release says. It also requests assistance on the matter from New Mexico’s congressional delegation.
In a written statement, Holtec said it has been discussed its project with the All Pueblo Council of Governors, along with other local leaders, first responders, and business organizations.
“In September Holtec provided a briefing to the Executive Director, Government Affairs Liaison, and the General Counsel for the All Indian Pueblo Council of Governors,” according to the statement. “We had a meaningful discussion. Holtec understands the Council’s views and concerns surrounding transportation and the HI-STORE facility. Those concerns will continue to be addressed as part of the rigorous and transparent U.S. NRC licensing process.”
The All Pueblo Council, Interim Storage Partners, and NRC did not respond to requests for comment on the resolution.
Holtec’s planned facility would have a maximum capacity exceeding 100,000 metric tons of used fuel, though it would initially be licensed for 8,680 metric tons. The site would be on 1,000 acres of land provided by the Lea-Eddy Energy Alliance, a coalition of the cities of Hobbs and Carlsbad and Lea and Eddy counties.
Just across the border in Texas, Interim Storage Partners wants to build a similar facility capable of holding 40,000 metric tons of used fuel. Its initial licensing would cover 5,000 metric tons. The company is a partnership of the U.S. branch of French nuclear firm Orano and Waste Control Specialists. The site would be built on Waste Control Specialists’ property, which already encompasses several waste disposal operations.
The concept is that these sites would hold the fuel until a permanent federal repository is built.
The administration of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) has expressed direct opposition to the Holtec project, citing potential harm to the state’s energy and agricultural sectors. Holtec says its facility would be engineered to prevent any radiation release. The company and the Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance have emphasized the economic and employment benefits of building the facility in southeastern New Mexico, which is already home to the Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has not staked out a clear stance on the Interim Storage Partners plan, but has questioned import of additional radioactive waste into the state.
